WHODUKNIT SCAVENGER HUNT SWAP PACKAGE

Today I received my scavenger hunt swap package. It made made this dreary rainy day better. It was from Barbara. Check out all the great goodies I received.

M = MURDER MYSTERY And it is a book I haven't yet read. YEAH!!
Y = YOUR CHOICE Barbara chose to send me some Cotton Candy scented body lotion, body wash and lip balm.
S = SOMETHING SILLY For this she sent Solara some treats and a toy.

T = TASTY TREAT HMMMM Home made granola and some Godiva Chocolate Pearls. YIPEE I have gotten them for my swap partners but never have gotten myself any.
E = EWE MAKE IT This could be something she makes for me or something for me to make. Barbara sent something she made me, a potato chip scarf which you can see being modeled in the next two photos by Solara. It is nice to receive one. I have knit several but always give them away.

Here she is saying Oh Mother not another photo.

R = REGIONAL ITEM This is a tray from where she comes from. With a BBQ and table outside this will come in handy.
Y = YUMMY YARN Here are two skeins of Boa in a PINK color I received and
three skeins of something called Bird of Paradise another eyelash type yarn.
I have it on my blog but won't be posting it until tomorrow as I need to take one more photo in the daylight outside first.

My package is on it's way to its destination and should be there this week. My name is on the outside but I think I forgot to include it on the inside. Sorry-------.

Scavenger Swap Package...

Here is my fantabulous Swap package from Joyce.  Here's what was in it:

M - The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin.  I've never heard of it, but it sounds like a fun read and just what I like.  The book had the most adorable bookmarker tucked in - the marker part has a picture of a row of 8 little kittens and then there's a cat shaped bead on the tassle part.  

Y - Two yummy yarns - a pale lemon chenille from Crystal Palace (with a cool Flower Power Cloth pattern that I'll use that on) as well as a gorgeous colorway of Araucania yarn, perfect for a pretty pair of socks.

S - The funniest almost naked knitter, relaxing on her little chaise and knitting away.

T - Scrumptious pecan biscotti, dipped in chocolate.  It really hit the spot this morning as I was stumbling my way around in the half light of the new day, trying to get ready for work!

E - A really pretty brightly colored cloth in a great textured pattern.  That hit the shower with me this morning, along with...

R - Some wonderfully smelling goat's milk soap - the scent is "Autumn in New Hampshire".  No clue if New Hampshire really smells like this, but if it does, I should move, LOL.

Y - Several items in this category:  A little mini sewing tote with threads, needles, tape measure, etc., perfect for small repairs (and it has little handles so I can hang it in full view, since I can never find that kind of stuff when I need it!).  The cutest little box decorated with a Mary Engelbreit design and nestled inside in a sachet bag were the most beautiful stitch markers, made by Joyce's daughter!  A matching little note pad.  A mini book on Feng Shui.  Ms. Manicure matchbook emery boards and a 4-in-1 keychain (nail buffers and files).  A really sweet Warren Kimble picture frame in the shape of a cat - I will put the fur babies pix in there.

It seemed like the box had no bottom when I was pulling the stuff out, but I think I've covered everything.  All the items were something I would have picked for myself, so Joyce was right on target with her choices!  

Thank you, Joyce, for a terrific swap box! ~ Valerie K

The Sequoia Pullover Murder Solution

It would have been impossible for her to hide the paper inbetween pages 159 and 160 - just open up any book and try it and you will see why.

Scavenger Hunt Swap Package

I received my swap package from Valerie today - and just look at all that was in it~ I'm overwhelmed!

M - mystery book(s) were Raveling by Peter Moore Smith, and Guilt by John Lescroart. I haven't read either of these books or either of these authors before so I'm really looking forward to them.

Y - yummy yarn - Valerie really took the 'yummy' part seriously. There was a skein of Alpaca & Silk yarn from Chestnut Bay Fibers, a skein of Araucania which I have been wanting to try forever, and two skeins of Bamboo Zania in very pretty purple/lavender and blue shades.

S - Something Silly - a "cow pie"which is described on the box as Rich chocolate Cream Caramel and Fresh pecans" (is your mouth watering?)

T - Tasty treats, included more chocolate from Wisconsin. chocolate teddy bears, chocolate cows, and a Badger Claw (White coating over creamy caramel and fresh pecans).

E- Ewe make it - Valerie made me a dishcloth that she made with the outline of the state of Maine and ME on it and as I told her, and also sent a pattern for lacy wrist warmers for me to make.

R - Regional Items - Coffee and tea from Berres Brothers in Wisconsin (I'm thinking Wisconsin has a lot more than cheese!) and some Mini Minit one cup filters, which I've never seen before.

Y - Your choice - Valerie's choice was the cutest little bamboo crochet hook which will be great for picking up all those stitches I drop and for weaving in ends, some pocket sewing scissors, and some emery boards, both of which I am always hunting for. And some great smelling scent seeds to be used in a drawer etc. which made the whole box smell great as soon as I opened it.

What an amazing package! Thank you so much Valerie!

The Sequoia Pullover Murder

Lt. Hugh Dunnit stood over the body of Mr. Paton and asked his wife what had happened. "Well, I was sitting in my rocking chair in the living room knitting a sweater for my dear husband," sobbed Mrs. Paton. "It was the Sequoia Men's Ribbed Pullover from Crystal Palace Yarns in his favorite shade of green. So, anyway, I heard a shot and I ran to the den and opened the door and found my poor darling lying forward over his desk with a bullet wound in his head. I saw a piece of paper clutched in his hand and then a tingling sensation of fear shivered up my spine."
"Did you see someone?" asked Lt. Dunnit. "No, I didn't see anyone but I somehow sensed that the murderer was there. I had a feeling that he was waiting to get the piece of paper that was in my dear husband's hand." "Did you take it?" asked Lt. Dunnit. "Yes, and I slipped it into a book that I had been reading earlier and had left on the desk. It was the June selection from the Whduknit Group, Interred With Their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell. I was on Chapter 21 and I slipped the paper between pages 159 and 160 where my bookmark was. It's a murder mystery - I just love a good murder mystery."
"But there is no book on the desk," said Dunnit. "No, just after I slipped the paper in the book the murderer came up behind me and hit me over the head. He must have taken the book with him."
"No, Mrs. Paton, it didn't happen that way," said Hugh Dunnit. You are under arrest for the murder of your "dear husband."

How did he know that Mrs. Paton was lying? E-mail me privately - grammieknits@yahoo.com with your answer by Friday, June 5 for a chance to win a prize from the prize locker.

Check this out . . . . oh, and by the way, the description says "Not for the faint of heart." No kidding.

You can get the kit on knitpicks here.

Whoduknit Scavenger Hunt Swap

(For Whoduknit Members Only)

We're Going on a Scavenger Hunt - Want to Come?

We all had a lot of fun with the mystery yarn ball swap, and I think that this swap, suggested by Joyce in NH, will be just as much fun. For this swap you will be going on a scavenger hunt to find items to send to your pal. You can search your stash, your bookshelves, your drawers and closets, Dollar Stores, Second Hand Stores, Discount Stores, LYS sales, etc., and of course you will use your creative minds to find each of the items for your pal. As always, our swaps are more about creativity, and friendship than about how much money you spend. We like to keep swaps affordable and fun for everyone.
You will be sending your pal each of the following items:

Murder Mystery
Yummy Yarn
Something Silly
Tasty Treat
Ewe make it
Regional item
Your Choice

To sign up send me an e-mail (grammieknits@yahoo.com) by May 1 with the following information:

Full Name:
Mailing Address:
E-mail Address:
Blog Address?
Ravelry Name?
Allergies?

Pal's names will be sent out the first week in May and deadline for mailing packages will be May 31.

Winter Study Project

My project - a crocheted flap hat for Robyn. I actually made it for my SIL for her March 1 birthday, but before it arrived she decided to go out to California to visit her daughter, and she is still there. I doubt if she will need it when she gets back to NJ - but there is always another winter next year!

The Bear Facts (A Whoduknit Mystery)

The Bear Facts (A Whoduknit Mystery)

Detective Hugh Dunnit and his brother Howie Dunnit were on a bear hunting trip in Maine. What they stumbled on in the woods, was definitely not a bear - it was the body of a middle aged man dressed in hunter orange, wearing a Yankee cap, lying in a shallow ditch.

An autopsy disclosed that the death had been instantaneous. A bullet had entered just above the hip and lodged in the heart.

The Dunnits assisted the local police in identifying the dead man as James Berroco, from New York City, and yes, sad to say, he was a Yankee fan. They further established that Berroco and a friend Billy Rowan, from Boston, had rented a hunting cabin near where the body was found. Rowan was brought in for questioning. He looked from Lt. Dunnit to Howie Dunnit before finally heaving a big sigh. "All right. I didn't mean to run away - I just panicked. James and I rent the same cabin every year," he admitted. "At night we sit around, drink beer, and watch the Yankees play the Red Sox. During the day we hunt. We've never failed to bring back one bear at least. We had spent a week in the woods, during which time the Red Sox swept the Yankees, and our time was up. It was the last day, and for the first time we hadn't even seen a bear in the woods. I noticed a rock formation and climbed to the top to see if I could spot one. Suddenly I heard James shout in terror in the clearing below me. A bear had got to him. I shot, but only wounded the bear. It reared on its hind legs. Just as I fired again, James got in the way. My bullet struck him and he tumbled into the ditch. The bear disappeared. I panicked, I admit, but I swear it was an accident!"

Lt. Dunnit told the local police to arrest Billy Rowan for the murder of James Berroco. What tipped him off that it was not an accident? And what was the motive?

E-mail me your answer privately (grammieknits@yahoo.com) by Saturday, April 25. Correct answers will be placed in a drawing for a prize from the prize locker.

Traveling Charity Baby Blanket #2

Traveling Charity Baby Blanket #2 is completed! I received the blanket yesterday from Tammy along with these goodies, sent along by the other members of the group.

This one was put together by Jane,

Danielle, Georgie, Shelly, Stephanie, and Tammy. After a washing and blocking, I'll be sending this one off to the Linus Project.

Mystery Yarn Ball

I received my Mystery Yarn Ball from Joyce in NH! She is so sneaky, inside of the ball, I found another ball of yarn, so she is keeping my very busy. The chocolate was yummy and the tea was very good. And, she included a recipe for Swedish Meatballs that was delicious, everybody here loved them. Thank you Joyce!

#1 Blanket ready to ship off

Here is the finished traveling blanket #1. I'll be sending it off either tomorrow or Friday, along with the little rabbit cloth

I got a wonderful Mystery Ball from England today! My first clue was the many bags of tea falling out of the package when I opened it. I have not gone through all the goodies yet but will post more as I make discoveries! Thank you Malgosia

The Mystery Begins

I received my mystery ball from Penny and I love it. She sent a new book too which I'll definitely have to read. Now to get one missing hint and I'll get started. Hmmm.....Penny what sizes needles or is that a mystery too?! LOL

Thank you Nate!

So here is the mystery ball project - done! It was a quick knit and a pattern that I will definitely do again! And there are all the goodies inside! Wonderful gift!

Mystery Yarn Ball Prize??????

Look what I received in the mail today - a prize for putting the best yarn ball together! This is my group and I didn't even know there was a contest for that LOL. I was Bonnie's upstream pal, and look what she sent me! Two balls of Regia Galaxy in tan/blue/brown which is perfect because I wear a lot of brown. And this beautiful skein of what looks like hand-dyed yarn. Don't you love the colors! And can you see the adorable little lamb?

Thank you Bonnie!

Whoduknit Easter Egg Hunt

We're going on an Easter Egg Hunt! Want to join us? Search the blog and the Yahoo Group for the answers, then e-mail them to me (privately, NOT to the group!). by midnight on Saturday, April 11. All of the correct answers will go into a drawing for this mini-felted Easter Basket full of goodies, including an illusion bunny dishcloth. No, you won't get it in time for Easter (unless of course I hand-deliver it - you just never know!).



1. What was the most fun that Shelly (Kadezmom) had in ages?

2. What yarn and colorway did Patt use in Traveling Baby Blanket #3?

3. What was Aunt Kathy's Casting spells project and who did she cast a spell on?

4. What was Penny munching on when she went on her Santa Cruise?

5. What is Joan's favorite Christmas ornament?

6. What would MaryLynn like us to do to "Save the Children"?

Now - hop, hop, hop on over to the Whoduknit Yahoo Group Homepage and search some more! (Hint: You will need to search the files, database, polls, and links)

7. Whose books did the group read last April (2008)

8. Who knows where to find vintage knitting patterns?

9. Who is Knitted Zebra on Ravelry?

10. Who donated two skeins of Austermann Torino wool/acrylic blend, super bulky, orange/brown/dk.pink to the prize locker?

11. What are the names of the books we voted on in the poll for our December, 2008 book?

12. Who posted message #4000 on the Yahoo Group?

Blanket 2

Blanket two continues it's tour of the north american continent. Today it is off to Beaverton, Oregon.

Mystery Yarn Ball Unravelled

I finished the pattern for the mug cozy that Robbie sent with my mystery yarn ball. It was a very interesting pattern with a cable stitch that I hadn't done before. I really liked this yarn (Paton's Decor) and love the result. These are the goodies that fell out as I knit. You can see how good I was - the candy is still there! I'm not sure what that little silver thing is next the the sample shout package. It has a hook on each end - anyone take a guess?

When I finished knitting the mug cozy I still had yarn left - so I kept on 'unraveling - and knit this little baby hat too!

Thanks Robbie for a great mystery yarn ball!

And Then There Were None project

"The 2 skeins of wool were later found to have been made into a wig and placed on the dead body of Justice Wargrave. 'Five little Indian boys going in for law; One got in Chancery, and then there were four.' "


When I read that line I immediately thought of Hallowig. I decided to go with some purple yarn I had, instead of getting gray. I also made it longer than the pattern called for, with plans of working some wire into it to make it curl up, but bailed on that idea.

 

Mystery Yarn Ball

I received my mystery yarn ball from Robbie today! I love the colors in the yarn - the pattern is for a cup cozy and there are little treats sticking out of the ball. I think I'll start knitting! I'll let you know what I unravel!

Chain Reaction

What started as a scarf ended up as the handles for a handbag. I love it, Danielle. I still think I should make up a felted bracelet or choker for Abby on NCIS.......time time time, how can I get more?

UPDATE: The easier question to answer would be what DIDN'T fall out of the yarn ball!!! This is by no means a complete list: a lindt truffle, a package of california poppy seeds (to plant), stitch markers of various kind, a Celeste's garden bobby pin, hot chocolate mix, "Be Fearless" (which I need to tattoo to the back of my hand as a reminder and some cute little sheep clips.

As to how I made the bag from a scarf...I started out making the scarf. I was totally loving the process, but I realized that I wouldn't wear it often enough to tell people the wonderful story of how it entered my life.....so I made to baby scarves (marley's ghost pattern and put it on a handbag I made up as I went along. I felted it and this purse is the result. Life Is Good!!!! (just like the t-shirt says)

Thank you Nate!

I am so excited! I cant wait to start this project.....1/2 a sleeve left to do on my February Lady sweater....or this.....I hate making decisions!

Anyway, the pattern is for a mini yarn tamer - something that I can definitely use - and you can see the beautiful multicolored cotton yarn Nate sent me for this!

Cant wait to start 'unwrapping' the goodies inside!

And Then There Were None Project

Emily Brent brought her knitting with her to Indian Island. She was working on a new knitting bag. She had 3 skeins of gray wool and one of green. Unfortunately, two of the gray skeins went missing, so Miss Brent could not finish her knitting bag which was just as well, I suppose, since she would have no use for it. "Six little Indian boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one and then there were five."

The 2 skeins of wool were later found to have been made into a wig and placed on the dead body of Justice Wargrave. "Five little Indian boys going in for law; One got in Chancery, and then there were four." (Or so we are led to believe).

In memory of poor Miss Brent I finished her knitting bag for her - I hope she would have been pleased with it!

I've got California Sunshine, on a rainy Minnesota day

Today has been the day of extremes. I'm struggling with everything related to life (all self-imposed to boot) and have been all week (I like to be complete and thorough) but my basketball team won AND THIS came in the mail from Danielle.

Thank You Danielle.

I'm so excited to get started. I love everything I've seen so far, and this pattern is going to be a BLAST!!!

Knitted details to come!!!


.UPDATE (10:05pm cst): No I did NOT cheat and unwrap that loose stuff. Danielle was very nice to me and left me a few goodies to get me started. Thanks Danielle!!!!

Bonnie's Mystery Yarn Ball

I was Bonnie's upstream pal and thought I was being soooo sneaky! But she guessed who I was even before she received my package, which I had cleverly put my DDs return address on. Didn't count on her recognizing the postmark of the town I work in!

At least the pattern is a mystery (or has she figured that out too?)

I even pretended to be a Yankee fan.

Well, no I didn't go that far! The hat is a Red Sox hat (she's a Red Sox fan too) and it is technically in the yarn ball because it has a few yards of yarn wrapped around it.

I had so much fun winding up this ball. I hope that Bonnie has as much fun unwinding it!

Traveling Baby Blanket #2Update.

Group 2...just in case you were wondering....the blanket has been living at my house since Monday. I finally sat down tonight and clicked out my piece. Thanks to the Orangemen going for the 7th overtime in two days (and one tonight) I was able to finish. It's all packed up and ready to go. Now, I'm not sure I'll have the get up and go to get to the post office tomorrow, but at least that's the only hurdle left for it to leave Minnesota on it's way to Stephanie's place. Look out Stephanie.....it's gonna be your way before long!!!

Thanks for this opportunity. It's been a blessing.

Well, I was just going to say,

that I got my Mystery Yarn Ball Swap Package yesterday, but Shelly seems to have beaten me to it! Hubband and I had gone North to The Cities that are way bigger than where we live, while Shelly had headed East from her home to come to the "bigger town". (What was it yesterday with people needing to be in a place "bigger" than where they live?) When we got home I noticed a package on the front porch, but there wasn't a notice about it with the mail.
So of course I looked out there, and I found this pretty box with identifying information on the lid.

 

Inside was this wonderful Mystery Yarn Ball with a wonderful pattern to knit a market bag. I will be casting on very soon, because I have wanted a Market bag for ages, and because I want to see what all is hiding in that ball!

The most fun I've had in ages.

Okay, the secret is out...and I have to tell you, I've had a blast. Thanks Barbara for playing along!

Barbara was my partner (and yes, I massacred her name on the box...this is what happens when Shelly gets too amped up AND is being pushed by the family to get going)

She lives about 45 miles from me in a bigger town. I can ALWAYS find something to do in a bigger place. Namely, shop. I convinced the family that this would be a great outing for Saturday. We loaded up the car and headed down the road. That's her swap package on the dash (which was only there long enough for it's photo op). As we neared her house, I became more and more nervous. Remember the feeling before you tp'd somebody's house? Yep. That's the one I'm talking about. My palms even got sweaty. We pulled into her driveway and put the package on the porch, snapped a picture and went on our merry way.

Then I heard about the pending snow storm. I'm envisioning this box with the mystery yarn ball stuck in a snow blower, or blown all over the neighborhood, etc.

Thankfully, she arrived home and safely got the box before anything happened to it.

What happened to the snow? Well, I don't know what happened at her place, but in the next 48 hours, I plan on blogging about it. It's was THAT pathetic! Come on over and see my at kademomDOTblogspotDOTcom. It involves a near blizzard forecast and the search for flying flakes.

Thanks for being such a good sport, Barbara, and I do hope we can meet up one of these days!

A Game of Whoduknit Clue

Rules of the Game

Mr. Boddy has been killed once again. One clue a day for the next 6 days will be posted on the Whoduknit Yahoo Group. Read the clues carefully and by process of elimination, you will figure out WHO is the murderer; WHAT weapon was used in the murder and WHERE the murder took place. Clues begin on Sunday, March 8 and end on Friday the 13th (will it be your lucky day?). After the last clue has been posted you will have 48 hours to solve the crime and e-mail the correct answer to me. grammieknitsatyahoodotcom. Please do not e-mail your answers to the group!

Suspects: Mr. Green, Professor Plum, Col. Mustard, Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. White, Miss Scarlet

Weapons: Knife, candlestick, revolver, rope, lead pipe, wrench

Rooms: Ballroom, kitchen, conservatory, study. billiard room, lounge

I recieved my Mystery Ball yesterday :-) It's from Bonnie! This really is the best group ever. The exchanges we have on WhoDuKnit are always "trustable". I have been in several that are not! So I'm here for ever :-)



This is what I got from Bonnie. A great ball of yarn filled with goodies for me to find, and a card with a pattern for a shawl. So now I'm knitting all day long to get it finished. You can follow the progress and the goodie-findings over on my blog. THANK YOU, BONNIE!

Traveling Blanket #1

This is the most recent picture of our first traveling blanket. My contribution is done in a true purple. I hope to get it in the mail tomorrow. That wicked cold that's been going around has been visiting with me. Promise not to send it on with the blanket!